Direct Support Specialist - Child And Family Division

Job Description:
Under moderate supervision, provides therapeutic supports within a positive treatment/care environment, teaching and modeling healthy behaviors, consistent with the treatment/care goals of recovery, independence, socialization, normalization, and integration within the community; and promoting satisfying, productive, and valued lives. Works in a milieu setting and does not bill for services separately from that setting.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) (e. g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, nutrition needs); monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.
Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery (e. g., medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, stress management strategies).
Plans and facilitates community-based activities (e. g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization); facilitates access to community resources (e. g., AA/NA meetings, school, job placement).
Contributes to safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques.
Serves as "ambassador" of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about SCS's services and programming.
Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served (e. g., school, landlord, family, transportation provider, employer).
Provides transportation (e. g., driving SCS van or personal vehicle), ensuring adherence to standard safety practices (e. g., driver certification, seat belts, child safety seats); teaches and facilitates use of public transportation systems.
Provides personal care, as needed (e. g., personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, safe eating techniques).
Administers First Aid and CPR, as needed.
Supervises self-administered medication, depending on the specific clinical program's protocols.
Identifies assigned clients' food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.
Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services, with other SCS staff members and, as authorized, with non-SCS providers, to ensure appropriate level and quality of care.
May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program (e. g., food programs, admissions at Crisis Stabilization Unit).
Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms (e. g., attendance records, daily logs, shift/progress notes, incident reports, time reports in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.
Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law.
Assist with discharge planning as needed.
Provide support for additional training needs of Direct Support staff as needed.
Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
EDUCATION

• High school diploma or GED.

EXPERIENCE

• Over two and up to three years full-time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of a mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disability, or physical health condition.
• Ability to provide nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Teaching skills.
• Patience and empathy.
• Maturity and judgment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS

• Position involves considerable physical exertion, lifting a maximum of 100 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May include frequent lifting of patients.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Valid driver's license.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance.
• Positive driving record.

Within the bounds of their respective job descriptions, all staff are expected to exercise principle-centered leadership, focused on customer service responsiveness, with a continuous quality improvement orientation. Additionally, all staff are expected to develop a working knowledge of and follow all policies and procedures related to safety management and other Joint Commission standards.
REQUIRED SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Provides activities intended to assure successful community living through utilization of skills training
• Uses a variety of psychiatric rehabilitation techniques to teach and to assist client with improving daily living skills, self-monitoring symptoms and side effects, emotional regulations skills, crisis coping and interpersonal skills
• Documents service to align with clients' individualized, comprehensive Treatment Plan with intervention specifically addressing client's progress towards a chosen and relevant Treatment Plan objective
• Understanding of normal growth and development, culture/ethnicity considerations, and mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorder diagnoses relevant to age groups/populations served
• Manages client caseload, client services, and activities to maximize direct care client time and reach expected productivity targets
• Understands role of OTRs to appropriately represent client need for CSA services required for authorization
• Provides limited on-the-job training to Community Support Providers: answering questions, opportunities to shadow and observe, explaining basic information about site's programming

Time Type:
Part time
We continually help our community and employees flourish... one life at a time. As a Seven Counties Services employee there are many perks to enjoy. Below are just some of the great benefits you might be eligible for with Seven Counties Services.

• Health & Wellness
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Health Savings Account
  • Short Term Disability
  • Long Term Disability - Company Paid
  • Wellness Programs - Company Paid

• Financial Wellbeing
  • Competitive Compensation Packages
  • Life Insurance - Company Paid
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - Company Paid
  • 403b Retirement Plan with Company Funded Matching
  • Retirement and Financial Planning Services
  • Employee Discounts including Dell Computers, Verizon Wireless, Liberty Mutual, Costco, and Enterprise Rent-a-Car
  • Loan Forgiveness options through federal programs (National Health Service Corps & Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
• Career Development and Growth
  • At Seven Counties Services training is one of our highest priorities. We provide company paid professional training for various skills, certifications, and continuing education
  • Opportunities for growth and movement - We encourage our employees to consider new growth opportunities with us
  • Leadership Academy for our rising stars, supervisors, and leaders
  • Seven Counties Services and Center for Clinical Excellence teach provide staff with industry best practices and processes
• Work Life Balance
  • Paid Time Off - Generous PTO for Vacations, Illness, Personal Days, Etc. (Paid Holidays)
  • Flexible Work Schedules to promote a Healthy Work Life Balance
  • Employee Assistance Program - assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being

Seven Counties Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or protected veteran status.